Paying a speeding ticket can cause insurance complications

Many people who regularly drive commit minor traffic violations a few times a week. People forget to use their turn signals occasionally. They may also sometimes violate the speed limit. Factors ranging from a lack of signage to running behind schedule can lead to people driving faster than they should.

If they encounter police officers, they may end up receiving a citation. Most drivers pay their tickets shortly after a police officer issues the citation. They want to avoid secondary consequences and hope to move on with their lives as quickly as possible.

Speeding tickets can cause a series of frustrating financial complications. Tickets can affect eligibility for commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). They can affect people’s employment if they drive for their work, even if they don’t require a special license. Traffic tickets can also lead to a noticeable increase in insurance costs.

How much does a ticket really cost?

The face value of a citation is often only a fraction of its true economic impact. Drivers have to contend with the effect of having blemishes on their driving record. Insurance companies typically look at a driver’s record and may increase what they charge for policies when drivers have recent traffic violations on their record.

Researchers estimate that New York drivers with minimum coverage may see their rates increase by 6% for a single speeding ticket. Those who carry full coverage policies can expect their rates to increase by an average of 7%.

Multiple recent tickets can cause substantially higher increases in policy costs. In some cases, those with multiple recent tickets may find themselves ineligible for continued coverage through the same insurance company. They may have to seek out a policy with a different company because they now represent more risk than their prior carrier can accept.

The increased insurance costs associated with speeding tickets may persist for multiple years after a citation, which can add up to quite a bit of money. Those who fight traffic citations can potentially avoid paying fines and protect themselves from years of more expensive insurance coverage. Choosing to question a traffic ticket instead of paying it can be beneficial for those who want to keep their costs low and retain their driving privileges.